2025 NWF Education & Engagement Youth Advisory Council

What is the 2025 E&E Youth Advisory Council?

Would you like to make a difference in shaping youth leadership and education opportunities in climate, biodiversity, and environmental justice? If so, we want to hear from you! The 2025 NWF Education & Engagement Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is your chance to make a meaningful impact during a pivotal time in environmental decision making.

We want to ensure youth voices are at the center of our own decision making process—as a YAC member, you’ll have the opportunity to influence the direction of the Education & Engagement (E&E) Department’s youth programming by sharing your unique perspectives, ideas, and lived experiences.

We’re looking for 14 young climate and environmental leaders from across the U.S. (ages 18-28 at the time of application) to join us for a five-month, fully remote service period. During this period, you’ll collaborate with NWF program staff and your fellow YAC members, contribute to meaningful discussions on the role youth play in our changing national landscape, and help ensure our programs are youth-inspired, youth-informed, and well-built for your future and for the generations to come.

This opportunity goes beyond an advisory role—it’s also a chance to develop your own leadership and management skills, expand your professional network, find solidarity and community in the face of ever-evolving environmental challenges, and make your voice heard in shaping the next generation of environmental leaders.

Key priorities for the 2025 Council include:

• Offering fresh perspectives and actionable recommendations to improve NWF’s youth programming.
• Evaluating current engagement strategies and envisioning new opportunities to inspire and empower youth.
• Helping to define the long-term vision of youth leadership at NWF in the face of our rapidly changing landscape.

Benefits & Compensation

During their tenure on the 2025 Youth Advisory Council, members will have the opportunity to help design and participate in at least three professional development sessions and one green careers workshop.

Members will also have the opportunity to:

• Contribute to NWF social media, blogs, podcasts, etc.
• Network with your YAC cohort and a growing group of YAC alumni.
• Connect with NWF employees throughout the larger Federation and partners.
• Participate in additional engagement opportunities associated with the NWF E&E team or our partners based on availability and individual interests.

Additionally, YAC members will receive a $500 stipend. Half of this stipend will be given at the start of the service period, and half will be disbursed at the end.

Expectations & Participation

All participants will be asked to make their best effort to attend all five meetings but attending at least four of the five meetings is mandatory. Please note, we recognize that extenuating circumstances may arise that may prevent a member from attending a meeting, in which case we will work with the member to identify an alternative form of engagement.

Meeting Dates (subject to change):

1. Wednesday, April 23rd – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm EST
2. Tuesday, May 13th – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm EST
3. Monday June 9th – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm EST
4. Thursday, July 17th – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm EST
5. Saturday, August 23rd – 11:30 am to 12:30 pm EST

Meetings will be held remotely via Zoom and will be two hours long, with an hour and a half dedicated to collaborative work and an optional half hour at the end for networking. At the end of the 2025 service period, members will be asked to complete a required survey for insight into their experience.

To Learn More

We will be holding two office hours sessions over Zoom to answer questions from prospective applicants and provide more information. These information sessions are optional and scheduled for the following times:

• Thursday, February 20th @ 7:00 – 8:00 pm EST (Register Here)
• Tuesday, February 25th @ 6:00 – 7:00 pm EST (Register Here)

If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please register at the links above. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, feel free to download the session slides or reach out to Marley Hauser (hauserm@nwf.org) with questions.

To Apply

Interested applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 28 upon applying. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2025.

The application requires submission of three short paragraphs (no more than 800 characters each, approximately 100 to 200 words). Optionally, applicants may also submit a resume or other materials they deem relevant. Please note, because the application process will not include interviews, we recommend dedicating considerable thought and detail to the development of your responses, as these will be used as the primary means of evaluating your application.

Application Questions:

1. Please share your experience (either through lived or learned experience) with any or all the following: youth climate or environmental action, K-12 climate education, youth leadership in environmental stewardship, climate equity, environmental justice, and/or green career preparation.
2. Why are you interested in joining the 2025 E&E Youth Advisory Council?
3. What professional skill sets or knowledge do you hope to develop through this position? And what existing skill sets do you plan to bring in support of YAC collaboration?

YAC Mentors

We recognize that within the applicant age range, experience and exposure may vary considerably. Given this, we hope to identify four individuals (of the 14) who, in addition to serving as YAC Members, will also assume the role of YAC Mentor. As a Mentor, you will provide guidance and support to our council members and provide thought leadership to the NWF team on professional development opportunities.

The commitment, for which Mentors will be additionally compensated, includes approximately two additional hours over the course of the advisory council service period. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Utilizing your leadership skills and expertise to help steer YAC conversations toward constructive outcomes.
• Helping to facilitate our monthly networking sessions to foster connections among council members.
• Acting as a valuable resource for career advice and post-graduate guidance.

At the end of the application form you will be asked to indicate your interest in being considered for a Mentor position on the Council.

If you would like to be considered, you will also be asked to respond to the following prompt (no more than 600 characters): Do you have previous mentor or leadership experience? If so, what do you feel made you most effective in this position? If not, what skill sets/experience/etc. would you hope to apply to be an effective YAC Mentor?

Please note: If you decide you would like to be considered for the mentor role, this will not preclude you from or reduce your chances of being considered for a Member position. I.E. your application will still be considered for both.

Thank you for your interest, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Marley Hauser (hauserm@nwf.org)!